Applicator for a cosmetic product and associated applicator assembly

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core, said core extending in a main direction of longitudinal extension; a plurality of strips of material ( 20, 20′ ), said strips ( 20, 20′ ) projecting from the core in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the main direction (X), over at least one angular portion of the core; and a plurality of separators ( 30, 30′ ), said separators ( 30, 30′ ) projecting from the core between said strips of material ( 20, 20′ ), substantially in the main direction (X); said strips ( 20, 20′ ) and said separators ( 30, 30′ ) defining cavities ( 40 ). 
     The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a receptacle comprising a body which forms a container intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator as described above that is capable of being attached to the receptacle such that the applicator is housed within the container.

The invention relates to a cosmetic product applicator and to an associated applicator assembly.

Applicator assemblies for cosmetic products, in particular for cosmetic products to be applied to the eyelashes, such as mascara, comprising a receptacle containing the cosmetic product and an applicator capable of being removably attached to the receptacle, are known.

The receptacle generally comprises a body, the body comprising walls delimiting a container in which the cosmetic product is contained, and a neck defining an opening through which the cosmetic product can be removed.

The applicator assembly generally comprises a cap suitable for being attached to the neck, a rod extending from the cap, and an applicator attached to a free end of the rod.

When the cap is attached to the neck, the rod and the applicator extend within the container. The applicator is immersed in the cosmetic product contained in the container.

To use the applicator, the user detaches the cap from the neck and removes the applicator from the receptacle. When it is removed, the applicator is wiped by a wiper arranged within the container in the region of the neck.

One effect that is sometimes sought is that of grouping the eyelashes together; however, this is difficult for an inexperienced user to achieve.

One problem addressed by the present invention is to propose an applicator that makes it possible to simplify the process of applying make-up to the eyelashes of a user, in particular when the aim is to group the eyelashes together.

Therefore, the invention relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core, said core extending in a main direction of longitudinal extension, referred to as the main direction; a plurality of strips of material, said strips projecting from the core in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the main direction, over at least one angular portion of the core; and a plurality of separators, said separators projecting from the core between said strips of material, substantially in the main direction; said strips and said separators defining cavities. In other words, strips of material obtained by a straight line which extends substantially orthogonally to said main direction. Therefore, said strips of material may be oriented transversely to said main direction, in particular orthogonally.

The strips of material of the applicator of the invention guide the eyelashes, while the eyelashes are loaded with mascara by the separators. The separators thus allow the eyelashes to be loaded in a standardised manner, while the strips of material group them together evenly.

In this way, the applicator of the invention allows grouped eyelashes to be obtained, in particular those in a pointed shape, and to be loaded with cosmetic product in a consistent manner. The make-up effect obtained using such an applicator is therefore even and structured.

In addition, the rigidity of the strips of material and of the separators of the invention, compared with protrusions that are generally flexible, makes it possible to achieve effective separation of the eyelashes.

The applicator according to the invention therefore makes it possible to obtain a unique make-up effect, whether the applicator is being used by a novice or by a person experienced in make-up, by guiding the make-up to the user's eyelashes, regardless of the force that they are applying to their eyelashes.

In fact, the rigidity of the strips of material and of the separators prevents them from bending when the force applied to the eyelashes is high: this also explains why the make-up effect obtained remains the same regardless of who is using the applicator of the invention.

According to different embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:

-   -   the strips of material each have a free periphery,     -   said strips of material are crenelated at an angle so as to         define an angular succession of folds having peaks and hollows,         when viewed from the same end of the core, said folds forming         angular gaps therebetween,     -   said folds form a pattern,     -   said pattern is repeated around the core,     -   the peaks and the hollows of two adjacent strips in the main         direction are in phase opposition such that the peaks of one         strip are opposite the hollows of another,     -   the separators each have a depression between two adjacent         strips of material in the main direction,     -   said separators are positioned in the gaps in the strips,     -   said separators are rigid,     -   the depressions in the separators are substantially midway         between the adjacent strips in the main direction,     -   the strips of material form an envelope, in particular by means         of their periphery,     -   the core has a first end, referred to as the proximal end, and a         second end, referred to as the distal end, opposite the proximal         end in the main direction,     -   said applicator has the last of said strips at its distal end,     -   said envelope is convex, in particular between said proximal and         distal ends,     -   the strips of material are chamfered in the region of their         periphery,     -   the strips of material are striated in the region of their         periphery,     -   the strips extend over the entire radial periphery of the core,     -   the envelope formed by the peripheries of said strips is an         envelope of revolution,     -   said envelope of revolution is oval,     -   the core is made of plastics material,     -   the strips and the separators are integrally formed with the         core,     -   the core, the strips and the separators are moulded from the         same material,     -   the core has a constant cross section from the proximal end to         the distal end,     -   the core is solid,     -   the core has a substantially circular cross section,     -   the applicator forms a brush.

The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a receptacle comprising a body which forms a container intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator as described above that is capable of being attached to the receptacle such that the applicator is housed within the container.

The invention will be better understood, and its other aims, details, features and advantages will become more clearly apparent in the following detailed explanatory description of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of an example of an applicator according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric, inclined view of the applicator shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of a detail of the applicator from FIG. 1, the detail being provided with the reference sign D in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows an applicator 10 for a cosmetic product according to the invention, in particular an applicator 10 for mascara. This applicator 10 comprises a core 12. Said core 12 extends in a main direction of longitudinal extension, referred to as the main direction and provided with the reference sign X in FIGS. 1 to 3.

Here, the core 12 has a first end, referred to as the proximal end 13, and a second end, referred to as the distal end 15, opposite the proximal end 13 in the main direction X (see FIG. 2). The core 12 is also extended by a cylindrical coupling 14 that is intended to be joined to a rod that allows the user to handle the applicator 10.

The applicator 10 according to the invention also comprises a plurality of strips of material 20, said strips 20 projecting from the core 12 between said proximal end 13 and distal end 15 (see FIGS. 1 to 3).

These strips of material 20 project from the core 12, in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the main direction X. In addition, these strips of material 20 preferably extend over at least one angular portion of the core 12.

In the example shown here, the strips of material 20 extend over the entire radial periphery of the core 12, but they may extend over a smaller angular portion, for example half, in order to alternate with other types of protrusions.

The strips of material 20 are used as guides for the eyelashes. They group the eyelashes together. In particular, the example of an applicator 10 shown here makes it possible to group the eyelashes together into six or seven separate groups, since it has eight strips of material 20 that particularly project from the core 12 (see FIG. 1).

It should be noted that the guiding of the eyelashes may be further improved by striations that are provided on the free periphery of the strips of material 20 (embodiment which is not shown here). These striations thus act as teeth, which encourage the combing of the eyelashes.

The applicator 10 of the invention also comprises a plurality of separators 30, said separators 30 projecting from the core 12 between said strips of material 20, substantially in the main direction X (see FIG. 3).

The separators 30 are rigid. “Rigid” means separators 30 that are not deformable, or not resilient. In other words, the separators 30 do not have relative flexibility allowing the strips of material 20 to come closer to one another, in particular in the main direction X of the core 12, for example when the applicator 10 is in use.

The separators 30 each have an edge 32 on which the eyelashes are loaded with cosmetic product. In addition, the separators 30 each have a depression. Said depression is located between two adjacent strips of material 20 in the main direction X, preferably at an equal distance from said two strips 20. In other words, the separators 30 are each V-shaped, or concave, between two longitudinally adjacent strips of material 20. A separator 30 therefore has a height h₃₀ that varies linearly in its extension direction X, said height h₃₀ being measured from the core 12 and perpendicularly to X. This variation in height h₃₀ is negative from one strip 20 to the depression, then positive from the depression to the other strip 20′, in a symmetrical manner (see FIG. 3).

Aside from the capacity for loading provided by their edges 32, these separators 30 have the advantage of assisting in guiding the eyelashes due to their V shape.

Said strips 20 and said separators 30 define cavities 40.

The cavities 40 act as a reservoir for cosmetic product, in particular as a reservoir for mascara.

FIG. 3 allows the example of an applicator 10 according to the invention to be described in detail. Some parts of this figure have been deliberately darkened in order to aid understanding of the present description.

Therefore, in this figure, two strips of material 20, 20′ have been darkened, and are referred to as the first strip 20 and the second strip 20′ in the following. These two strips of material 20, 20′ are adjacent along the axis X. It is noted that they are crenelated at an angle, that is to say that they have an angular succession of peaks and hollows, in particular in the region of their periphery.

The strips of material 20, 20′ according to the invention may also be undulating and/or embossed at an angle. Generally, each strip of material 20, 20′ extends in a zig-zag shape. In other words again, each strip of material 20, 20′ defines an angular succession of folds having peaks and hollows, when viewed from the same end of the core 12, for example by an observer positioned in the region of the distal end 15 of the core 12, said folds forming angular gaps therebetween.

Said folds therefore form a pattern that is repeated around the core 12, it being possible for this pattern to differ, in particular in terms of phase, between two strips of material 20, 20′ that are substantially transverse to the core 12 and in succession along the axis X.

Here, independently of said folds, the strips of material 20 have a general orientation that is substantially orthogonal to the core 12.

In a variant, the strips of material may have an inclined general orientation.

They have the advantage of producing zones of convergence that are in succession around the core 12. To do this, the strips of material 20, 20′ are preferably arranged in phase opposition such that, in an alternating manner around the core 12, the following angular succession is observed: a peak and a hollow opposite one another, in particular not connected by a separator 30, 30′ and at a small distance from one another, then two opposite gaps, then a peak and a hollow opposite one another, in particular connected by a separator 30, 30′ and at a greater distance from one another, then two opposite gaps, and so on. A gap is defined here by the volume enclosed by two peaks and a hollow in succession within the same strip 20, 20′. The eyelashes are therefore grouped, released, grouped, released, between the strips 20, 20′ when the applicator is used by a rotational movement about its axis X of longitudinal extension on the eyelashes.

This guiding is made easier by the chamfered surfaces, which are provided with the reference sign 22 in FIG. 3. These chamfered surfaces are provided on the peaks of said strips of material 20, in the region of their periphery. This allows a group of eyelashes to be brought between the two strips 20, 20′. The chamfers 22 therefore intensify the grouping effect on the eyelashes.

The distance d separating two adjacent strips 20, 20′ in the main direction X is between d_(min) (between a hollow in the first strip 20 and a peak on the second strip 20′, when viewed from the distal end 15 of the core 12) and d_(max) (between a peak on the first strip 20 and a hollow in the second strip 20′, when viewed from the distal end 15 of the core 12). The distance d_(min) is substantially equal to 1.6 mm, for example, and the distance d_(max) is substantially equal to 1.7 mm, for example.

In addition, it should be noted that the separators 30, 30′ are located between the peaks on the first strip 20 and the hollows in the second strip 20′, when viewed from the distal end 15 of the core 12. In other words, said separators are located at points where said two strips of material 20, 20′ are the furthest apart.

It should also be noted that the hollows in the first strip 20 and the peaks on the second strip 20′, when viewed from the distal end 15 of the core 12, are spaced apart by a distance d_(min), and that they define a peripheral passage around the core 12, only including the part of the separators 30, 30′ having the depression.

The average distance d separating two adjacent strips 20, 20′ in the main direction X is substantially constant, without taking into account the undulations, and is within the range of values of [1; 2 mm], for example being substantially equal to 1.64 mm. Greater spacing between said two strips 20, 20′ may reduce the make-up effect that is sought.

The structure of the applicator according to the invention thus allows the eyelashes to be grouped together over a constant width and to be separated over a constant width.

The detail in FIG. 3 shows a plurality of separators 30, 30′ according to the invention. The two separators provided with the reference signs 30, 30′ are angularly adjacent. As mentioned above, they define a cavity 40 together with the two strips of material provided with the reference signs 20, 20′. The separators 30, 30′ are positioned in the gaps in the strips 20, 20′. The free edges of the separators 30, 30′ are the same height h₃₀ as the corresponding strips of material 20, 20′ in the region in which said separators 30, 30′ and said strips 20, 20′ join.

The applicator 10 is wiped before being used, in particular by a wiper arranged in the region of the neck of a receptacle that is intended to contain the cosmetic product. During this wiping, the strips of material 20′ 20′ are wiped in particular in the region of their free periphery. After wiping, said strips 20, 20′ therefore have a limited quantity of cosmetic product on their periphery, except inside the gaps.

As mentioned above, the separators 30, 30′ each have an edge 32, 32′. Owing to their V shape, the edges 32, 32′ carry along the cosmetic product, even through the wiper, and therefore make it possible to provide the user with an applicator 10 loaded with product, in particular in the region of the depression in the separator 30, 30′.

Therefore, the applicator 10 according to the invention makes it possible to load the eyelashes, and also to group them by means of the strips 20, 20′.

The cavities 40 intensify this advantage by being loaded with an additional quantity of cosmetic product, which serves as a reserve for loading the eyelashes.

It should be noted, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 1, that the free ends of the strips of material 20 form an envelope E. Said envelope E is convex in the example in FIG. 1. This shape leads to an applicator 10 having a substantially oval shape between the proximal end 13 and the distal end 15. For example, the outer diameter of the applicator 10 in other words the diameter defined by the free peripheries of the strips of material 20 is substantially equal to 5 mm in the vicinity of the proximal end 13 and distal end 15, and it reaches a maximum substantially equal to 8 mm between said two ends 13, 15.

This example is not limiting and the applicator 10 according to the invention may have any other envelope shape without this placing any limitations on the make-up effect sought. For example, the envelope may be in the shape of a straight-sided cylinder, or may be concave.

Furthermore, the strips of material 20 and the separators 30 are preferably moulded using the same plastics material as the core 12, or integrally formed with the core 12. This has the advantage of making it easier to manufacture the applicator 10 according to the invention. Indeed, said applicator has complex shapes that are easy to obtain using plastics injection moulding.

Therefore, said strips of material 20, like the separators 30 described above, are integrally formed with the core 12. For example, the core 12, the strips 20 and the separators 30 can be moulded from a material based on LDPE (low-density polyethylene). Other materials may also be used, namely the material “Exact” from ExxonMobil or the material “Hytrel” from Dupont, or a mixture of these materials. Yet other materials may be used, for example thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) copolymers, or polyamide (PA).

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the core 12 is preferably solid and has a substantially circular cross section, said cross section preferably being constant from the proximal end 13 to the distal end 15. Said cross section may have a diameter that is substantially equal to 2.5 mm, for example.

The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a receptacle comprising a body which forms a container intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator 10 as described above that is capable of being attached to the receptacle such that the applicator 10 is housed within the container.

The applicator 10 according to the invention will be particularly beneficial to people seeking an elaborate make-up effect (grouped eyelashes, in a point, eyelashes loaded with cosmetic product) without this being time-consuming, or without using several different applicators to obtain this make-up effect.

It should also be noted that variants are of course possible. In particular, it is also conceivable, in additional embodiments, for the applicator to comprise protrusions that project from the core, at least over an angular portion thereof. 

1. Applicator for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising: a core, said core extending in a main direction of longitudinal extension, referred to as the main direction; a plurality of strips of material, said strips projecting from the core in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the main direction, over at least one angular portion of the core; and a plurality of separators, said separators projecting from the core between said strips of material, substantially in the main direction; said strips and said separators defining cavities.
 2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said strips of material are crenelated at an angle so as to define an angular succession of folds having peaks and hollows, when viewed from the same end of the core, said folds forming angular gaps therebetween.
 3. Applicator according to claim 2, wherein the peaks and the hollows of two adjacent strips in the main direction are in phase opposition such that the peaks of one strip are opposite the hollows of another.
 4. Applicator according to claim 3, wherein the separators each have a depression between two adjacent strips of material in the main direction.
 5. Applicator according to claim 3, wherein said separators are positioned in the gaps in the strips.
 6. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the strips of material form an envelope, said envelope being convex.
 7. Applicator according to claim 1, having the last of said strips at its distal end.
 8. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the strips of material are chamfered in the region of their periphery.
 9. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the strips of material are striated in the region of their periphery.
 10. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the strips the separators extend over the entire radial periphery of the core.
 11. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the strips and the separators are integrally formed with the core.
 12. Applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising: a receptacle comprising a body which forms a container intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator according to claim 1 that is capable of being attached to the receptacle such that the applicator is housed within the container. 